National Consumer Council Inc

The Federal Trade Commission unsealed a lawsuit alleging that National Consumer Council Inc. in Santa Ana and a complex web of affiliates bilked millions of dollars from debt-burdened consumers with deceptive promises to negotiate discounted settlements of their accounts. Saying National Credit was "masquerading as a nonprofit," the FTC also alleged that the companies routinely called consumers who had placed their names on the national do-not-call registry.

The Federal Trade Commission unsealed a lawsuit alleging that National Consumer Council Inc. in Santa Ana and a complex web of affiliates bilked millions of dollars from debt-burdened consumers with deceptive promises to negotiate discounted settlements of their accounts. Saying National Credit was "masquerading as a nonprofit," the FTC also alleged that the companies routinely called consumers who had placed their names on the national do-not-call registry.

Debt firm -- National Consumer Council Inc., a Santa Ana nonprofit shut down by the Federal Trade Commission on Monday, was incorrectly identified in an article in Tuesday's Business section as a credit-repair firm. The company bills itself as an educational organization that helps consumers negotiate their way out of debt.

Operators of a Santa Ana-based debt-relief company and a complex web of affiliates have agreed to pay $3.8 million to settle charges that they scammed consumers out of $84.3 million by falsely promising to negotiate discounted payoffs to creditors, the Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday. The FTC shut down the telemarketing and direct mail operation in May 2004, alleging that National Consumer Council Inc. was "masquerading as a nonprofit."